[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6025598,"mediaKeyId","5754744-56065232b297c0e014fdc87c21fe6c6c","parentId",5754744,"title","Residents press Skokie board on Crawford bike lanes, parking enforcement and street repairs","audioSeconds",394,"startMs",1248000,"endMs",1642000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5754744-56065232b297c0e014fdc87c21fe6c6c&start=1248&end=1642","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5754744-56065232b297c0e014fdc87c21fe6c6c/thumbnail_1248000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6025598/Skokie/Cook-County/Illinois/Residents-press-Skokie-board-on-Crawford-bike-lanes-parking-enforcement-and-street-repairs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025598-3cc1cb77e46d401b86601de176eaf605/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148630&Signature=G30LJK9RBrr677hM~kaeeKv8MazdYORI0z-UR7qkNgTeOu8nO-EXtw7kBla85fHYwpPe3CFKSzCp4BOXBTbV3NLgGD0~8cmT2Z7DP~1Awj7POUG8j~eardCxLHhR-LmjXtoZt3gviK5U7WRCfJ58uWDYxmL0jM5Lgs6umlKF57KWTu8xGmAyOR8wsglS8nFCrmpIkxcZhetN9wgG6ZLhHVUob0N2V-tjuHL0ZrUgqD8RXfYhAOBrcz4OEhxiyhUMqLkI9BTJmNDOZCnG7e2hT5KTCr9UwGcjojG8vFKSx2KQWzs6XnT9x3kWoS5RjpQMmERqsvEwS3rfPniWdnpGNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Skokie, IL","date","2025-09-03T14:19:08Z","article","Multiple residents used the Sept. 2 public comment period to tell the Village Board they oppose proposed Cook County bike lanes on Crawford, Oakton and Church streets and to press for better traffic enforcement, parking management and street repairs.
The comments are significant because speakers said county-owned roadways' redesigns could worsen congestion and that village staff, districts and county agencies need to coordinate on enforcement and curbside issues.
Earl Weiss said he attended a public forum on Crawford and found “people at the forum were largely opposed to any bike lanes,” adding that Crawford carries “between 15 and 20,000 vehicles a day” and asking, “How many bicycles do we expect to be using those bike lanes?” David Dahlke, who described parked cars intruding on a frontage road near a school event, urged the village to “coordinate” with the Park District and District 68 on parking enforcement and to resume pre-pandemic bus service levels for students.
Village manager John Lockerbie reminded the board that Crawford, Church and Oakton are Cook County roadways and that Cook County Highway Department staff presented their improvement plans to the village at a prior meeting; he said residents may contact the county or the village manager’s office for meeting details.
Several speakers also urged faster replacement of broken trash and recycling cans. Dahlke said he reported broken cans in June and that “it’s now been 90 days” without replacement. Another resident provided photos and urged staff to issue warning letters and citations where properties are not maintained; David Dahlke mentioned an address he has raised repeatedly and sought clearer enforcement timelines.
Other public commenters raised separate concerns about road conditions in Skokie, arguing that some streets need more comprehensive repairs and that the village should coordinate with state and county agencies on resurfacing and maintenance.
No formal board action was taken at the meeting on these items; the mayor and manager said staff would forward resident input to Cook County and follow up on requests for meeting links and evidence of enforcement where applicable.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 02, 2025 Village Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment, residents urged the village to oppose Cook County bike-lane plans on Crawford, Church and Oakton, asked for better parking enforcement at school events, faster replacement of broken trash/recycling bins, and improvements to several streets.","taxTitle","Skokie, Cook County, Illinois","taxId",3818,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6025602,"Board concurs with plan commission to allow fence for outdoor storage at 5347 Birchwood Avenue",240,5312000,5552000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5754744-56065232b297c0e014fdc87c21fe6c6c&start=5312&end=5552","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5754744-56065232b297c0e014fdc87c21fe6c6c/thumbnail_5312000.jpg","/articles/6025602/Skokie/Cook-County/Illinois/Board-concurs-with-plan-commission-to-allow-fence-for-outdoor-storage-at-5347-Birchwood-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025602-95f69938201a6b78543a7cf035c61fa0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148630&Signature=YU9Z5xMh1vqd7Bp3cfm5FN4hl7MK5tlBFe3MUn44ay1JN3UJiFl3G-cb3REUSqiAnqOWP0hefeH1NN1jMev6n~quM~5JBqplCfk245hU6Zkj6YUSKODNxvsbaZKsX~j4gbBRB-py1caV6e3XPyg4BK3wSMAeHiKs8muQX7GVFPSSmmINB3M6OEwt8Df1HZtZE2mU2k~rT2nGhW030q6yKfZqPzGlEYPQXNxK6bU9gc8oQ74GvvR7ly96SfwIBFRJA7T7Znj1tyLO7gWT2XLISsW2cDRBWHQM2OcrQJuwAahEO4-hud9v4EqPfhcWnZP13jdgeLXCrOB9TioOJYcniw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Skokie Village Board on Sept. 2 voted to concur with the Plan Commission and approve relief to allow an eight-foot fence within the required 50-foot front yard at 5347 Birchwood Avenue to enclose outdoor storage.
The issue matters for consistency of industrial-area standards: staff told the board that nearby properties had previously received similar front-yard relief for fenced outdoor storage, and the Plan Commission recommended approval at its Aug. 7 meeting.
Community development director Johanna Nyden summarized the request and noted comparable relief granted for 5351 Birchwood and 7550 Frontage Road. The board moved to concur, Trustee Lisa Levy made the motion and Trustee Keith Robinson seconded; the clerk’s roll call returned unanimous “aye” votes and the motion passed.
The approval permits the owner to build the fence to screen outdoor storage consistent with neighboring properties’ prior variances; no additional conditions or amendments were recorded on the board motion.
Clerks recorded the roll call: Trustee Lisa Levy — Aye; Trustee Schechter — Aye; Trustee Kimani Levy — Aye; Trustee Robinson — Aye; Trustee Iverson — Aye. The motion passed.","The Village Board voted to concur with the Plan Commission recommendation permitting an eight-foot fence within the 50-foot front yard at 5347 Birchwood Avenue to screen outdoor storage in an M-1 district.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6025606,"Skokie previews redesigned village website, plans Sept. 11 launch with improved navigation and accessibility",715,2676000,3391000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5754744-56065232b297c0e014fdc87c21fe6c6c&start=2676&end=3391","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5754744-56065232b297c0e014fdc87c21fe6c6c/thumbnail_2676000.jpg","/articles/6025606/Skokie/Cook-County/Illinois/Skokie-previews-redesigned-village-website-plans-Sept-11-launch-with-improved-navigation-and-accessibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025606-2cb11eab1b19c2f62df22f73de9402d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148630&Signature=FcVsuG8Mzdqz3BXdfk3YVzh~EFCDxy~kxiMoW0qLv42k6ebj-TmkhPL42lAQwPmybwsBpp7vJHFJHHRbf~Y4uFXU5vj7JfqVFqoJncYT~EcugLFFQhs75cYyHQYPqY8q-Vq1fnbTp3t6lqud2vP1bDMTLbjAqdiuEsSPJ-8RJS6~BE7d2pb5LI9eSW1zECWVeRONRr-DanUCYmOXz0PsizjWBW-PQcMiZWHMu7lcmn84EyQFyrOZnyq5cAhODWr8N20BxcXcSTYV7BqWfMP4~yFyHGUirkiVdAmFcPNJ-mPATZy75LQxgCVC-iBvMbq7sLPhKRylSfpKejhIHFtsng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Village communications staff on Sept. 2 previewed a redesigned Skokie website scheduled to launch Sept. 11 that aims to make information easier to find, improve accessibility and reflect the village’s updated branding.
The redesign matters because staff said many residents rely on the website for essential services and the change is intended to reduce time spent searching for permits, police reports and payment portals.
Communications manager Meredith Gioia said the redesign began in March with a review of documents and a focus on simple, skimmable content. She said CivicPlus, the village’s vendor, and staff ran two resident focus groups in August to test three navigation structures and that participants preferred four top-level tabs: Government, Residents, Businesses and Explore Skokie.
Gioia described a new “action center” on the homepage with six buttons for high-frequency tasks (pay online, apply for jobs, view agendas, sign up for alerts) and a seasonal slideshow to highlight timely items. She said the site will display the next six public meetings and a revamped community calendar and will move the Google Translate widget to the top right to improve accessibility. She also said staff will complete an ADA compliance review of PDFs as a second phase to meet federal accessibility requirements due in April 2026.
Trustees praised the work and asked about calendar subscriptions, font-size adjustments for visibility and mobile responsiveness. Gioia said calendar subscription is not part of the current project but staff will explore it; the site will be responsive and staff will pursue further PDF remediation to meet upcoming ADA deadlines.
The board did not vote; the manager said the site would be completed with link testing and accessibility checks before the planned Sept. 11 launch.","Communications staff previewed a redesigned village website intended to simplify navigation, improve ADA accessibility and surface high-demand services; analysts used resident focus groups and traffic data to shape the new homepage.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6025611,"Human Relations Commission outlines outreach plan to implement Skokie ordinance protecting immigrant access to services",339,2135000,2474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5754744-56065232b297c0e014fdc87c21fe6c6c&start=2135&end=2474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5754744-56065232b297c0e014fdc87c21fe6c6c/thumbnail_2135000.jpg","/articles/6025611/Skokie/Cook-County/Illinois/Human-Relations-Commission-outlines-outreach-plan-to-implement-Skokie-ordinance-protecting-immigrant-access-to-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025611-0c35b2456e06a53d73a6371b620fb2ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148630&Signature=OMmFJ24iuA8-~ByEi4aCZqwURKnRpc~CvyV0XJ0zolbIVddHtvlvJEEsdxXDWiIDctgJG3QOslX36gwuoyfsUrGxNKKqJ6al~YqfTJZu9RG9iVLXvD70rJU0fBS078RuF7340RKAD6KUlhNqmtPe-KrElDmF0Ia5jCcjXz5V4BepzRJ-RLhbx8uhBtFdqv5aMgG722aMoNT2Ay3-AfzzX9ZPLltemvb~Z2OzS8zzy1pWhAEzSJiReoYRV2xiTddmGcCCc4hT2iafrL8jTn1mMrHq9ixELBtuLazhjA7u2AdQknorE8boMMg5DwtrqgdJDIKfnqj3GDrZoPgsKAADGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Human Relations Commission on Sept. 2 told the Skokie Village Board it has begun outreach and education to implement the village’s human relations ordinance, focusing on clear information for residents and partnerships with schools and community organizations.
The work matters because commissioners said recent events have raised uncertainty among residents, and the ordinance clarifies that Skokie will not participate in immigration enforcement except as required by federal law or a valid criminal warrant.
Human Relations Commission chair Maria Monastera Buena Bueno described meetings with Mayor Tennis and staff and said the Commission is preparing plain-language flyers and brochures translated into Skokie’s most widely spoken languages. “This ordinance reflects Skokie’s long standing values, ensuring that all people, regardless of immigration status, have equal access to village services and protections,” she said.
The commission plans a Sept. 11 meeting with school districts to coordinate information for students, families and school staff; outreach to Oakton College, day cares, health centers and workplaces; and community programming such as a screening of the film Not In Our Town with a follow-up panel. Commissioner outreach included representatives from Sanctuary Niles Township.
Trustees praised the pace of work and the breadth of partners. Trustee Robinson said the work “draws a line in the sand about where we are, who we are as a community.” Trustee Schechter, one of the board liaisons to the commission, said she was “really glad to be supportive” and emphasized that the commission’s actions should be substantive not performative.
The commission will finalize and translate outreach materials, distribute them through community partners, and continue programming to reassure residents and families. No legal or budget changes were proposed at the meeting.","The Human Relations Commission reported on steps to implement the village’s human relations ordinance, including translated flyers, school partnerships and community programming to reassure residents that village services are accessible regardless of immigration status.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6025616,"Skokie trustees debate limits on short-term rentals after residents report noise and safety problems",2258,3950000,6208000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5754744-56065232b297c0e014fdc87c21fe6c6c&start=3950&end=6208","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5754744-56065232b297c0e014fdc87c21fe6c6c/thumbnail_3950000.jpg","/articles/6025616/Skokie/Cook-County/Illinois/Skokie-trustees-debate-limits-on-short-term-rentals-after-residents-report-noise-and-safety-problems","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025616-d0cdc18dab530624761f133e164c5393/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148630&Signature=FLkPPDPKG7Usd2iG~WjMmbx2bJh8h0nXUyFk8CEknnxnj6IaQ2hChfoiV8G~q5aBK6uV-i2ET-LngLchahftxe2jTDOSyIdw6dePRe8fBPFzdI-f3IT6aTsJXMmOWlvS8tCFI9vptTPRce5ye2~I8L7VKsFqCDjZPovJD4wMhVgwTodVq1teBFzR6BRjKz5xhSgcq2jlnjv0HuOy3-FX2X1el0R4OJjHFS3neOHK51SoM9QSc787wbJu9uHxaUnz91Uq8iUJO6wbQqExwg8Wzkdnn1JmVHQLwcbeq1LwBV7IYH2yoV3DhMne8coxVFzq19FHd9A98NtOT-q-DnHHmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Skokie leaders and residents on Sept. 2 debated whether and how to regulate short-term rentals after staff presented a draft ordinance and community members described repeated disturbances near their homes.
The discussion matters because residents said investor-run short-term rentals have replaced long-term neighbors, produced late-night noise and created safety concerns, while staff said the village currently treats short-term units the same as long-term rentals under its rental registration program and cannot reliably identify listings online.
Community development director Johanna Nyden told the board, “Here in Skokie, we do not presently regulate short term rentals, through a specific short term rental ordinance or regulations.” Nyden said staff estimates 15 to 30 short-term rentals (STRs) operate in Skokie and that about 20 are registered under the village’s rental program. The draft ordinance staff circulated would define STR types (owner-occupied, hosted, unhosted and investor-owned), require annual registration and inspections, set a minimum stay of 48 hours, require guest information (trash, parking, emergency exits) and create a revocation process for repeat violators.
Mayor Tennis said she opposes allowing STRs in residential zoning districts for short stays. “I don't believe that we should allow any short term rentals in residential zoning districts,” she said, advocating a 30-night minimum for any rental in residential areas and tighter limits on owner-occupied units.
Trustee Schechter urged the board to adopt principles before crafting rules, saying regulators should “preserve income diversity in the village” and discourage investor conversions that remove housing from the long-term rental stock. Schechter also said she would generally oppose STRs in multifamily buildings unless a unit has a separate exterior entrance.
Trustee Melissa Levy and others said they favored regulation rather than an outright ban but pressed for stronger enforcement and earlier quiet hours to limit late-night disturbances. Some trustees also proposed excluding ADUs from STR eligibility; one trustee said ADUs should be reserved to address local affordable housing needs.
Several residents described direct problems. Xavier Diokno, a recent Skokie resident, said, “I have not seen my neighbor. Rather, I have seen a carousel of strangers walking into the house next door. It is very unsettling.” Bob Kucel, a resident of the 7600 block of Trip, said of an investor owner: “He was buying a business.” Shelly Padd, a 24-year resident, warned that investors buying lower-cost homes for STRs reduce affordable housing supply.
During public comment and board discussion, people proposed specific changes staff might consider: limiting STRs to owner-occupied units, setting seasonal or annual frequency caps so a property cannot be rented every week, excluding multifamily buildings or ADUs, tightening registration fees and penalties tied to market value, and using block- or block-face spacing to avoid clustering. Several commenters and trustees also asked staff about enforcement: who checks occupancy, how inspections will be scheduled and whether insurance or platform requirements are appropriate.
No ordinance vote was taken. Staff said the draft is for discussion and further revision; the board indicated it wants additional options (including zoning-based approaches) vetted, and that any zoning changes would go to the plan commission for review. The village manager noted that the existing rental registration process currently treats STRs as rentals and that a distinct regulatory approach would be developed if the board directs it.
Looking ahead, the board signaled it will return to the issue with a revised draft reflecting trustees’ policy preferences and more detailed enforcement options.","The Skokie Village Board and staff discussed a draft ordinance to regulate short-term rentals, with trustees, staff and numerous residents voicing concerns about investor-operated rentals, neighborhood impacts and enforcement. No ordinance vote occurred; staff will revise regulations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press Skokie board on Crawford bike lanes, parking enforcement and street repairs

Board concurs with plan commission to allow fence for outdoor storage at 5347 Birchwood Avenue

Skokie previews redesigned village website, plans Sept. 11 launch with improved navigation and accessibility

Human Relations Commission outlines outreach plan to implement Skokie ordinance protecting immigrant access to services

Skokie trustees debate limits on short-term rentals after residents report noise and safety problems